The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-24
TIRED OF DIcTATIoN,
G. A. r. Posts OF New York Refuse to swal-
low the Pauper Pension Bill.


low the Pauper Pension Bill.
among the members of the Grand Army
Of the Republic IN this city in consequence
Of attempts that have been made to secure
an endorsement of what has been called
the pauper pension bill. Gen. Lucien
Fairchild, the commander-in-chief of the
order, who, it is claimed, has been trying
to boom himself for the presidency by his
advocacy of such q measure, has met with
q cutting rebuke from some Of the most
prominent Grand Army posts in New York
city. When President Cleveland vetoed
the dependent pension bill that was
passed at the last session of Congress
Fairchild set the example forviolent abuse
of the chiefexeeutive. Several months ago
the national executive officers OF the order
prepared the draft of bill which 1t Is pro-
posed to present at the next session of con-
gress. In order to influence legislation 1t
was decided to secure an Endorsement of
the bill from as many posts as possible
throughout the country. The programme
further contemplates the adoption of a
memorial to congress by the Grand en-
campment when it meets at st. Louis. Ac-
cordingly Gen. Fairchild issued proclaim
alton calling on the different posts through
out the country to vote on the bill.
Within the past two weeks many of the
fifty-one posts in New York city have
brought up the questions at their meet
iDgs. In some cases. such as that of La
ayette post, which took up the bill for
consideration on Friday night, special
meetings were held for that purpose. The
post voted unanimously not to indorse the
bill. James T. Rice, No. 20, Phil Kearnev
No. 5, Veteran and McQuade posts, have
already taken similar action. Instead of
standing by General Fairchild, they have
very generally condemned the bill. Strenu-
ous efforts have been made to whip the
veterans into line, but not only have they
withheld their Endorsement, but in many
instances protests have been forwarded to
the national headquarters of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
This was all brought about by the
house of lords as it is called" said an
active member of the order to a reporter
tonight. THAT is madeup of men who
heve been running things for years, and a
good many of Us have got tired of it. We
propose now to show them that we won't
be dictated to. Besides that, there is too
much politics In it, What aggravates the
matter still more is the fact that such a
bill is likely TO defeat q movement which
is rapidly growing IN strength, in favor Of
the passage of graded service-pension bill.
There are good many who believe that
cOIuleIo suUulu Do pcnelOneu tcCOIulDS 10
the terms of their service. Il would be
only be right and proper thss the men
who defended the Union should get part
of that S100 900, 900 or more surplus that is
rolling into the United States Treasury.
At any rate, we don't want to be set down
as paupers, which is what Fairchllds' pet
scheme would make Us be. There is one
graded-service pension association in this
city, and by next winter others will be
started all over the country"
The proposed bill, which has been de-
bounced aud repudisted, removes many of
the existing safeguards in the present PEN
sion laws to prevent frauds. 1t makes it
easier for widows of deceased soldiers to
prove their claims. Three months men
are made eligible to pensions, which has
not hitherto been allowed, and the parents
and children of deceased veterans are lib
orally provided for.